230 squadron

1918 to present

Formed from 327, 328 and 487 Flights with seaplanes at Felixstowe on 20 Aug 1918.

Eventually reformed from 215 Squadron at RAF Dishforth (EGXD) in Sep 1958. It operated as a fixed wing Pioneer and Twin Pioneer unit from RAF Odiham and received its first 2 Whirlwind HAR.10 in May 1962. It began its rotary wing operations in Jul 1962, divested itself of its fixed wing flight in Dec 1962 and moved to Germany in Jan 1963. It deployed via HMS Triumph initially to Seletar in Feb 1965 and then after a fortnight acclimatisation, by HMS Bulwark on to Borneo (Labuan) on 8 Mar 1965, with regular detachments at Tawau, Sepulot and Sibu until Nov 1966 and occasional detachments to Cyprus. Towards the end of 1966, its 11 Whirlwind were returned from Borneo by Belfasts of 53 Squadron.

The Puma was introduced at RAF Odiham (EGVO) in Oct 1971 and the units Whirlwinds were passed on, with those of 1563 Flight to 84 Squadron in Dec 1971. In Oct 1980 it moved to Germany at RAF Gutersloh (EDUO). After service in the 1991 Gulf War, it moved again to RAF Aldergrove (EGAA) in May 1992 and since 1999 its 13 Puma HC.1 have been assigned to UK Joint Helicopter Command. The unit left Aldergrove on 17 Nov 2009 for RAF Benson.